#20 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-2)
As strange as it might feel for you to be reading about Rutgers in our top 25 preview, it feels just as strange for us to be writing about them. Though the Scarlet Knights have had their share of strong games over the past few seasons (upsets over Michigan St. and Pittsburgh in 2004 and 2005, respectively), the Knights, led by Greg Schiano, had a dream season in 2006, culminating in a triple-overtime nail-biter that had Rutgers one win away from the Big East title. Despite losing to the Mountaineers, Rutgers managed to pound Kansas State in the Texas Bowl to take its first bowl win in the school's 137-year history. Needless to say, then, expectations in New Jersey are high for Schiano's team. Junior quarterback Mike Teel will lead an offense that will see seven returning starters. A favorable schedule that will have West Virginia playing in New Brunswick also works to the Knights' favor, though the Louisville road game at the end of the season could prove to be a season spoiler if they aren't careful.
Scarlet Knights Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtney Green | SS | 94 | 82 tackles, 1 sack, 4 INT |
| Ray Rice | HB | 94 | 1794 yds, 20 TD |
| Mike Teel | QB | 84 | 2135 yds, 12 TD, 13 INT |
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium (42,000 capacity)
#19 UCLA Bruins (7-6)
What's a 7-6 team doing this high up in the NCAA 08 Top 25? Well, we're not entirely sure, though that stunning 13-9 late-season upset of USC (#2 in the nation at the time) might have something to do with it. Coach Karl Dorrell earned himself at least one more year of job security with that win, and Bruins fans everywhere are hoping their team builds on that success in 2007. To do so, they'll face one of the toughest schedules in the nation, with the only "gimme" on the calendar the September 1 opener against Stanford (and even that game is on the road). Home games against Washington, Notre Dame, Cal, and Oregon form the heart of the home schedule, and then there's that season-ending rivalry game against USC, where the Trojans will be looking for payback. With an experienced team that features 10 returning starters on offense, the Bruins look poised to take on that difficult schedule and make a real run at Pac-10 glory.
Bruins Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Keyes | FS | 94 | 79 tackles, 1 INT |
| Brigham Harwell | DT | 93 | 31 tackles, 1 sack |
| Chris Markey | HB | 89 | 1107 yds, 2 TD |
Stadium: Rose Bowl (91,500 capacity)
#18 Georgia Bulldogs (9-4)
A two-game stretch seemed to define the Bulldogs' rollercoaster 2006 season: an upset loss to SEC cellar-dweller Kentucky 24-20, followed the next week by a complete drubbing of rival Auburn 37-15. This season will include another difficult run through the SEC gauntlet, made all the more difficult by the loss of key players like Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson on the defensive line. After struggling last season, sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford has won the starting job, with senior running back Kregg Lumpkin looking to give the Bulldogs just their second 1,000-yard rusher since 1992. The Deep South's oldest rivalry will continue when Auburn visits Athens in the 111th meeting between the two teams; other key matches on the Dawgs' schedule include away games at Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech.
Bulldogs Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Brown | HB | 88 | 256 yds, 1 TD |
| Brandon Miller | MLB | 87 | 23 tackles |
| Mohamed Massaquoi | WR | 86 | 366 yds, 2 TD |
Stadium: Sanford Stadium (92,746 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #18)
#17 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4)
Joe Paterno is 37 wins shy of 400 wins during his storied coaching career. While it's difficult to say if the 80-year-old Penn State legend will forego retirement for the four or five years it will likely take him to reach that milestone, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Paterno stalking the sidelines. This year, the Nittany Lions could take a big step towards securing at least 10 of those needed wins thanks to a favorable home schedule and a talent base that includes eight returning starters on offense. The defense will be younger this time around, with six starters returning, including Dan Connor, looking to fill the shoes of 2006 impact player Paul Posluszny. Key to success will be senior quarterback Anthony Morelli, whose numbers didn't light up critics in 2006 (2424 yards passing, 11 TD, 8 INT) but should see improvement, especially if junior wide receiver Derrick Williams comes into his own. The Nittany Lions' toughest tests will be their September 22 road game against Michigan, homecoming in Happy Valley versus Wisconsin, and an October 27 home game against Ohio State. Should they prevail in all three, JoePa will take a significant step closer to 400 wins.
Nittany Lions Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Connor | MLB | 99 | 113 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INT |
| Justin King | CB | 94 | 30 tackles, 1 INT |
| Derrick Williams | WR | 91 | 440 yds, 1 TD |
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282 capacity, Toughest Places to Play Rating: #4)
#16 California Golden Bears (10-3)
If it weren't for those pesky Trojans, Cal fans would be in the midst of an in-conference renaissance practically unheard of in the history of the program. Coach Jeff Tedford led his team to a share of the Pac-10 title last year, thanks in part to UCLA's late-season defeat of USC; it's just another chapter in the team's revival of fortunes, one that has seen the team go from an also-ran in the conference to a yearly contender. 2006 didn't get off to the greatest of starts, as the Golden Bears made the trip to Knoxville and got stomped by Tennessee; this year they'll be looking at the Volunteers with revenge on their minds, as the teams play the rematch in Berkeley. Should they win that game, and manage to beat in-conference opponents like Oregon and UCLA on the road, the looming November 10 home showdown against national-title favorite USC will be perhaps the biggest game ever played at Memorial Stadium.
Golden Bears Impact Players
| Name | Position | Rating | 2006 Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeSean Jackson | WR | 97 | 1060 yds, 9 TD |
| Justin Forsett | HB | 89 | 626 yds, 4TD |
| Thomas DeCoud | FS | 93 | 45 tackles |
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (72,516 capacity)
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